E-LETTER
Volume 6 August, 2017
STT (SMOOTH TROWEL TECHNOLOGY) Beginning this August, Flextile will be producing #50 and #60 thin-set mortars using our new
Smooth Trowel Technology (STT), a formula upgrade that improves the working consistency
of these high volume thin-set mortars. STT is designed to make the mortars easier to mix and
apply, allowing for smoother troweling and improved tile adjustability which contributes to a
more efficient tile installation. The technology behind STT allows for these improved
workability features without replacing or compromising the original formula components
such as clean angular aggregates, high performance polymers, and high Portland cement
content that have made #50 Professional-Grade PM Mortar and #60 PM Mortar respected
staples of Flextile’s thin-set mortar lineup for many years. The STT logo will be appearing on
respective product bags as inventories change over, and are being incorporated into the
product TDS as well.
FLEXTILE IS
GETTING A
NEW LOOK Work has commenced on an
extensive upgrade to
Flextile’s web site
www.flextile.net. In addition to
updating to include all new
products, the functionality
and design is also being
updated to make it easier for
you and your clients to view &
download technical data, find
distribution locations, view on
mobile devices, and interact
more directly with Flextile.
Flextile is continually moving
forward with new products,
innovative technical advances
in product formulation and
performance, its
manufacturing facilities and
procedures, and technical
service capabilities…all of
which will be enhanced by the
new and improved website.
GROUT COLOUR
UPDATE
Following an extensive review of the current
Flextile grout colour line and polling of distributors
for suggestions on new colour options, we have
moved forward with a significant change to the
selection of stock Flextile grout colours. New
colours have been formulated and production is
scheduled to coincide with the arrival of re-worked
grout colour sample kits and charts…which will be
available later this year. To make way for the new
colours, some of the slower moving colours will be
removed, with production already winding down. In
addition, the stock colours available in FlexEpoxy
100 Epoxy Grout, 1600 RSG Fast-Setting PM
Sanded Grout, and Ultra Performance Caulk have
been re-defined, as per the adjacent chart.
Available stock colours will be clearly indicated on
the new sample kits and charts, while all other
Flextile colours in these products will be available
as special order.
Technical Inquiries: [email protected] 1-888-236-4486 [email protected] [email protected] 1-800-699-3623
[email protected] [email protected]
NEW COLOURS TO BE ADDED
E-LETTER
Volume 6 August, 2017
• The use of a fast-setting grout helps
improve colour consistency…
FACT: 1600 RSG is produced using
Calcium Aluminate cements in
place of standard Portland cements,
which promotes a much quicker
“initial set, or cure” of the installed
grout. The quicker hydration of the
grout mixture during initial curing
stages greatly reduces the
occurrence of Efflorescence
occurring, and of environmental or
site conditions such as direct
sunlight, hot or cold air movement,
traffic or contamination from other
trades, etc. affecting the final
colour. This benefit is of particular
importance when darker grout
colours such as Jet Black,
Charcoal, Pewter, etc. are specified,
in that they will be most noticeable
if not consistent.
Technical Inquiries: [email protected] 1-888-236-4486 [email protected] [email protected] 1-800-699-3623
[email protected] [email protected]
• 1600 RSG is too difficult and time consuming to apply
MYTH: While the Pot Life of 1600 RSG is less than half
that of 600 Sanded grout and the initial set up is also
much quicker, a simple alteration of mixing and
spreading/cleaning techniques is generally all that is
required to keep application time on par with or just
slightly longer than with standard grouts. Any “extra”
time in mixing additional smaller batches or applying in
smaller areas prior to washing tile is easily made up by
time saved with the quicker cure and reduced
requirement for addressing efflorescence and other
colour consistency issues.
1600 RSG FAST SETTING PM SANDED GROUT The use of Fast-Setting grouts provides several advantages to the installer as well as to the builder, homeowner,
designer, or project manager. While the benefit of providing the final component of a complete fast-setting system is
obvious, there are other significant benefits to using fast-setting grouts, particularly on applications where a dark
grout colour is specified. Flextile strongly recommends the use of 1600 RSG grouts whenever darker colour grouts
are being used, when grouts are susceptible to inconsistent curing conditions such as on exterior applications, or
wherever colour consistency of the grout is of the utmost importance.
Some facts (and myths) about the use of fast-setting grouts:
• 1600 RSG is too expensive
MYTH: While the actual product price is higher
in comparison to standard latex modified
grouts such as Flextile 600 PM Sanded Grout,
the final cost of grout installation is in many
cases not much more expensive when using
1600 RSG, particularly on larger format tile
installations. As an example: using a typical
installation of 12 x 24 porcelain floor tile with a
3 mm (1/8”) grout joint, approximately 2.3 kg (5
lbs) of Sanded grout would be required for 100
square feet. Based on listed distributor pricing
for both the Flextile 600 and 1600 RSG grouts,
the difference in actual product cost of these
two grouts would be approximately $2.50.
That’s $2.50 per 100 sq. ft; A small price to pay
for improved colour consistency, quicker
turnaround time, reduction of uncured grout
being exposed to other trades (drywall dust is a
common cause of discoloured grout,
embedding itself in the grout while it is still
damp), reduction in or elimination of
efflorescence, etc.
• The use of 1600 RSG compliments a complete
Flextile Fast-Setting installation system
FACT: From self levelling, waterproofing,
crack isolation & uncoupling, sound control
& in-floor heating, tile bond coats and 1600
RSG, Flextile is able to provide complete
fast-setting systems for quick turnaround
times.
E-LETTER
Volume 6 August, 2017
FROM THE LAB Have you ever wondered why polymers are such a hot topic in
the construction industry especially when it comes to use in
cement? This article will take a more in depth look at what they
are and what they do, so you can see why they are such a
valuable addition … especially in the use of cementitious tile &
stone bond coat mortars and grouts.
Let’s start from square one. What is a polymer? A polymer is a
long-chained molecule made up of small single units called
monomers all linked together. This concept is illustrated in the
graphic below. The physical properties of the polymer, such as
how soft or water resistant it is, can be controlled by changing
the nature of the monomer or by controlling how big the polymer
is. The best way of tailoring the physical characteristics is by
using different monomers and incorporating them in to the same
polymer resulting in what is known as a copolymer. This
technique allows the designing chemist to select different
monomers which contribute different physical properties and
incorporate them in to the same polymer giving us a very
controlled and reproducible system.
In thin-set mortars and grouts we use polymers in two different
forms. The simplest case is the polymer that can be used in a 2 part
system, where there is a polymer solution (liquid latex additive,
such as Flextile 43 or 44) added to the dry cement mix. The polymer
is in the form of little particles suspended in water which is why the
liquid has a white milky appearance. This polymer suspension
gives us the common name of this product, latex, which in the
industry has become synonymous with polymers. The polymer is
then mixed in the recommended amount with the specified
powdered product to a working consistency and applied. This 2-
component system allows for the maximum incorporation of
polymer in to the finished product, however the ease of use and
application suffers a little. For an easier to mix and more efficient
system in terms of application, a 1-component system can be
utilized. In this case the polymer latex is dried to a fine powder. The
powder is then pre-added to the dry cement mix. To apply the
finished product water is added and the polymer particles can then
be dispersed throughout the cement mixture to ensure good
incorporation of polymer in the mix. The amount of polymer we can
incorporate is generally less than levels we can add using a 2-
component system, which while still more than adequate for most
tile & stone installations according to the level of pre-mixed
polymer. So why do we go through all this trouble to add polymer
in to our products? Polymers add many very favourable
characteristics to tile mortars, levelers, grouts, etc. They allow for
enhanced binding to surfaces such as plywood, cement, and other
traditional tile substrates due to polymer penetration in to the
surface. They allow for flexibility, or movement capability in the
mortar, which helps to reduce cracks due to substrate movement
or other movement stresses in the tile or substrate. Polymers also
add water repellent properties to the product allowing our products
to be used in exterior and water immersion applications. Most
importantly polymers add strength to our products which increases
safety margins and ensures confidence in warranting the
performance of our products for many years.
Visit WWW.FLEXTILE.NET to download full Product Data Sheets, Grout Calculators, Installation Specifications, and more
Technical Inquiries: [email protected] 1-888-236-4486 [email protected] [email protected] 1-800-699-3623
[email protected] [email protected]
PROJECT HIGHLIGHT
Combined with input from Flextile cumulating in a full afternoon hands-on training session for the architectural staff of R.L.
Engebretson, Kate-Lo architectural and sales reps were able to successfully initiate and secure the exclusive specification
for tile installation systems for the Scheels Sporting Goods chain with Flextile products. The initial installation under this
specification, approximately 70,000 sq. ft of owner-supplied wall & floor tile supplied, took place in Johnstown CO and was
completed by Masters Flooring LLC, a tile & flooring contractor based in Fort Collins CO. Not being familiar with Flextile
setting products, Flextile provided an on-site orientation of Flextile products & systems for the Masters Flooring install crew,
representatives from Scheels, and the project coordinators from the General Contractor. One specific interest from all
concerned was how the FlexEpoxy 100 Epoxy Grout would perform, as epoxy is a standard spec for all Scheels tile
installations and must meet certain criteria such as ease of installation and cleanability. Along with the rest of the Flextile
installation system consisting of 5400 Maxi-Flex, WP900, 600 & 1600 RSG grouts, the FlexEpoxy 100 performed well,
comparing very favorably to previously specified epoxy grout systems used on Scheels installations where the installers
experienced great difficultly in cleaning residual film off the specified tile. Subsequent work with the specified Flextile system
has been underway at the Scheels corporate head office in Fargo ND, continuing with what we hope is a successful and long
term partnership.